The Holidays, we are told, are the happiest time of the year. Crisp, cold days, flurries of snow, gathering around the fire and sitting together to enjoy a beautiful meal – these are the images of the ideal from Thanksgiving to Christmas.Of course, this is not accurate for a lot of people just for practical reasons. Indeed, there are the many people for whom this is not accurate because alcohol, drugs and dysfunction get in the way. Trying to achieve a picture perfect holiday experience can be enormously stressful, as well as depressing. Hoping for the ideal can keep you from enjoying any part of the season.

So how do you get through it all?A 3-step guide to surviving the Holidays here. Then, we invite your questions, comments, or shouts for help as you are trying to cope with addiction in the family … at the end.

3 Steps To Getting Through The HolidaysHere are three steps for getting through the holidays (Surviving Christmas family time, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, or the New Year) of and creating room for joy!

STEP 1. AwarenessMovies, media, songs all tell us that this is the time of year for family, for going home to joyous celebrations and being with the people dear to you. But what if going home means spending time with people who are drinking too much, bickering with each other, blowing up into huge fights?

Being aware means taking the time to consider the reality of the situation. It can be useful to write or tell a story about what the holiday experience will be like based on what it has been like. Don’t add opinions; tell the story based on facts.Another option is to make a list of all the people likely to be there with a short description of their personality or behavior.

Again ,this should not have opinion because we are building knowledge of the reality of the situation not how we feel about it. An example might be, “Aunt Martha: will bring her own brandy to add extra to her eggnog; Uncle John: will drive to church even after drinking a six-pack and having three glasses of wine.”

STEP 2. AcceptanceOnce you build awareness, acceptance becomes a little easier. It is important to remember that acceptance does not mean approval or acquiescence. You can accept what is and still not be okay with the situation. The key to acceptance is the acknowledgement that you simply have no power to change the external situation and no control over anyone but yourself.If this concept is hard for you, as it is for many people, try this: look at a tree and name the color of the leaves (this is awareness), now turn that awareness into a sentence, “The leaves on the tree are green. I can not make them purple.” This is acceptance in its simplest form, acknowledging your power in what is.

Acceptance in alcoholic or addicted families can be enormously difficult because it feels like we are giving up on the possibility of something better or that the behavior itself is acceptable. Accepting reality is not the same thing as saying that the reality is okay, or something that you are willing to participate in. It is about coming to grips with what is real and dealing with that reality honestly and with genuine emotion. Only by accepting the truth of the situation can you make affirmative choices about how you want to engage with the situation and that will allow you to be happy.

STEP 3. ActionThe final step in creating room for joy during the holiday season is action. Effective action only occurs when it is third in line. You must first be aware of what is, then accept that reality, and from there you can make a choice about what you want to do within reality.

Go back to our tree with green leaves. You are aware of the color of the leaves, you have accepted that they are green and that you can not make them purple, but you really want a tree with purple leaves. You now have choices:

You can buy the tree with green leaves because you like it for what it is, even though it isn’t what you originally wanted.

You can buy the tree and be angry that it isn’t what you wanted.

You can reject the tree and continue to look for the one you want.

Action is all about knowing what reality is and making an affirmative choice based on that knowledge.If you know that your alcoholic family will descend into drunken, screaming fights by the time dinner is served than you can make affirmative choices about where you want to be and what you want to do for Christmas. If you stay in denial and hope that this year will look like the Hollywood ideal you aren’t making a true choice and you will very likely spend the evening in anger and resentment. Action is about making the choice that is right for you based on the reality of the situation!

Make Affirmative Choices This Year!The Holidays are coming and for many of us it starts out as a stressful time of year, not a joyous season. But we do have choices and the first choice is choosing to know our truth, from there we can act based on real expectations and allowing ourselves the option to be happy is a wonderful gift indeed.

Please feel free to share more holiday tips for people in recovery now. We welcome your experiences, worries, or successes in an addicted family with us in the comments section below.adapted from www.adictionblog.com

Plenty of people out there will be celebrating Christmas in recovery this year. But, it can be pretty tough. On the one hand, you want to have fun and enjoy the holidays. On the other hand, the fear of relapse or backsliding can really put a damper on that holiday magic. So, what holiday tips for sober people can you keep in mind?

So how do you have a Christmas where you avoid relapse without having to lock yourself in your house? Here’s a seven (7) step plan to make your holiday truly magical.

Step 1: Make A Plan.People don’t like uncertainty. Still, addiction can be fueled by it. Think H.A.L.T. Never try to be too:

Hungry

Angry

Lonely

Tired

Make a plan that avoids all of these things. It may not always be possible but do the best you can. The better the plan, the easier it will be to avoid temptation.

Step 2: Fill That Calendar.Loneliness and isolation are your enemy. Make plans to see clean friends and family often, even multiple times daily. Go out to dinner with someone. Seek parties where non-alcoholic Christmas drinks are on the menu. Or, just get out of the house and join in a healthy group activity. A full calendar makes you feel good and gives you something to look forward to each day.

Step 3: Do Not Skip Meetings.Your 12 step A.A., N.A. or other support meetings like SMART Recovery or Rational Recovery do not stop during the holidays. In some cases, there are actually more meetings. Get to plenty of them, they will give you that extra support you need.

Step 4: Sweat.I do not care what type of exercise you prefer, just do it. Run, play sport, walk the dog, climb a tree (not the one at the center of town with all the colourful lights on it, the police frown on that). Exercise can help prevent depression, give you a sense of accomplishment and boost endorphin levels.

Step 5: Avoid Dangerous Places.

There is always that temptation to hang out with old “friends”, visit an old drinking establishment, or go out to a party where you could be tempted. There is nothing positive for you at any of these places. You only risk relapsing by going. So, say, “No.” This is easy to do if you already have a full schedule (refer to step 2).

Step 6: Take Little Steps.Just the idea of never using again can be tough when you are stressed, angry or just wanting to use. Instead of trying to beat an addiction with sheer willpower, break it down. Stay sober for the next day or even the next hour. Often cravings only last a few minutes and it is much easier to focus on little victories.

Step 7: Have An Exit Strategy.Always have an excuse ready as to why you need to leave an environment. That way, if you start to feel too stressed or you think you may be in a dangerous place, you can make your excuse and get out quickly. It is sort of like a “Get out of jail free” card. Having an exit prepared early makes it much easier to use in a time of need.

Please Share Your Christmas Struggles With Us. These seven steps are a great framework to help you stay sober but they are not perfect. Use the steps but keep your social support network around you. Your sober friends and family are one of the best tools you have to stay in recovery. They will lift you up when you fall, cheer you on when you succeed and be there for you when you need them.

Enjoy the holidays, and please use the comments section below as an additional support!

CAREFUL: Being Indoors Can Get You DownWith the short, overcast days, fewer opportunities to be outdoors, and stress that can come with holiday festivities, it’s easy to get into a winter slump. A slump can quickly turn into the winter blues. The blues can get pretty bad if I’m not careful.It’s easy to justify being indoors for extended periods of time. Sleeping late and staying under the covers can become a habit. Going to bed early, avoiding social opportunities and neglecting my mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being can become commonplace.

Some call it cabin fever. For many of us it’s much more than that. The winter blues become more like a nasty infection that will only get worse if not treated.The Clinical DiagnosisThere is actually a clinical diagnoses for the winter blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD is basically seasonal depression which manifests in some people when the days get short, cold, and dark. Feeling irritable, sluggish, overly tired, and unmotivated are all clues that we can look for.

Those that struggle with addiction and even those already in recovery can be more at risk than your average person. But take hope! Seasonal Affective Disorder treatments in addiction recovery are out there. And if you want to maintain your sanity this winter, try these seven activities to fight off the blues.

7 Activities To Help You Beat The Winter Blues

1. Get outside.​Do it now. I don’t care if it’s cold, if it’s snowing or if you don’t feel like getting off the couch. Go outside anyways. Something as simple as going for a twenty minute walk or shoveling your driveway while listening to your favorite tunes can do wonders. Even if it’s gloomy outside, you still get a shot of vitamin D, your oxygen levels increase, your heart pumps more blood and the cobwebs clear from your mind. Don’t let the cold be an excuse. Get up and go.

2. Get up earlier.Maximize the daylight hours by getting your rear out of bed. While I love sleeping late once and awhile, when this becomes a habit I’m not using all the available daylight to my benefit. Here in Northern Michigan the sun rises around 7:30 and it’s dark by 5. If the sun is up, you should be too.

3. Exercise.No, going for a ten minute walk or shoveling your driveway doesn’t count. Sorry. I’m talking about breaking a hard sweat. Ideally you should do this every single day. Realistically, if you get some form of vigorous exercise 3-5 times a week you will notice a major improvement in your mood, energy levels, and overall serenity.Vigorous exercise produces a chemical in the brain called dopamine – the same chemical that’s released by using drugs, alcohol, food, sex, or anything else that is done obsessively. When exercise becomes part of our daily routine, the overall levels of dopamine in our brains increases.

We actually create dopamine reserves that can help us fight off the blues (including the holiday blues). It’s much like canning fruits and vegetables and putting them in the cellar. They’re there when you need them. Bears hibernate. You should not.

4. Stay engaged with family and friends.No, Facebook does not count. Sorry again. I’m talking about leaving the house and getting together with the people that matter to you.I don’t care if you go to a Broadway play or just meet for coffee. Get out and engage with other people. Do things. See things. Explore your area. Plan a trip. Go do something you’ve never done to keep life interesting.

Remember, no excuses. Just get moving. Or following some of these suggestions in this addiction recovery guide for the holidays. A great way to stay stuck in the blues is to stay home and do nothing. Don’t do that.

5. Make a gratitude list and add to it daily.Simple but highly effective. When I got sober this was one of the first things my sponsor told me to do. It works for anyone, addicted, recovering, or not. Write down what you’re grateful for and refer to it daily.

6. Make a schedule and stick to it.Don’t wake up and not have a plan. That couch looks pretty comfortable, even more so when it’s 20 degrees outside and snowing. Schedule your 12-step meetings, exercise, appointments, social activities and down time so you’re always staying one step ahead of the blues.

7. Supercharge your spiritual life.Winter is a good time to read. Make this part of your routine as well. Buy a spiritual or self-development book and commit to reading 30 minutes a day. Keeping your mind sharp and feeding it with good, healthy information is a weapon against the blues.

Remember that action is the greatest weapon against depression. Get up, get moving, and don’t get stuck in the blues. Take your body and your mind will follow.

​Depression Can Be A Learned BehaviorMy first experience with depression came when I was about nine years old. It was an early Saturday morning, and I was just waking up when I heard a labored breathing coming from my mother’s bedroom. I knew something was wrong, and I yelled for my grandmother to come quickly. That was the day that my mother tried to take her life.

As I grew older, depression seemed to linger in my own life until my early twenties when I found myself sitting on an overpass, wanting to end it all. Life has taught me that depression can be addictive, based on the perception of despair in the mind. Many depressed parents have children who also struggle with depression and anxiety as they get older.

However, the way that each person approaches depression and anxiety can vary. Here, we explore healthy ways that you can cope with depression and addiction. Then, we invite your questions or comments in the section at the end.

Do You Feel Normal In Depression?When we learn to deal with despair and conflict as children, we adapt to and react to issues as we are shown. Our parents model for us how they cope with life. In this way, we often adapt to their style of handling fear, anger and stress. So, how we deal with life is just as much learned as it is experienced.

I found that the “normal” behavior I was used to was based on the approach my parents took. Depression felt addictive because inside of it, I felt normal. As I grew up, my safety and security came through the unstable environments of those I loved. It took some time to realize the creating a new normal and breaking the curse of depression did not somehow separate me for those I loved. Instead, I had to create a new path to help myself heal.

Dealing With Depression In Your Daily Life:7 Tips If you or someone you love is dealing with depression, please know that better things are just around the corner. In fact, there are many sources of help for depression related to addiction. Here are seven tips for dealing with depression in your daily life:

1. Begin with prayer and meditation. Start each day with a quick prayer to thank God for all that you have. There is always a gift we can choose to focus on. Ask what could you learn today not only to help yourself, but to help others. Meditation takes contemplation a step further, during which you ask for guidance throughout the day.

2. Read a devotional. Read written quotes of endurance and overcoming adversity. Seek devotionals that inspire you and look for the examples of God’s principles and promise; ask God to reveal them to you. Depression in addiction recovery does not need to dominate your thoughts.

3. Do something active: Walk, run, clean or get organized. You can pick from a number of activities, but be sure to keep the body moving until it’s time to rest. It raises your overall well-being and gives us security. Activity also provides us with strength in brain function.

4. Journal: Keep a journal of your struggles as well as your new promises. Be honest in your writing; get your thoughts out on paper. Avoid “why me” questions and focus on how can I become stronger, wiser and more helpful to others.

5. Seek wise counsel: Stay in touch with a quality pastor, teacher, mentor, or health professional. You’ll want to find someone with a high level of integrity whom you admire. If they are not trained or have walked through depression themselves, try to find someone who has.

6. Seek a new perspective: Focus on growing yourself and learning new things. Always try to look at the healing process in a new way. Your purpose may one day be to teach others how to overcome depression. Don’t automatically assume your first thoughts on a situation are reliable. Instead, weigh them against scripture, counsel, and the evidence you have.

7. End with prayer: At the end of each day, before you go to bed, tell God everything you want to say and ask Him for His wisdom and direction in your life. I was scared at first to tell Him everything only to find that’s what he wanted all along. With every new tear came a new comfort.

Addiction has a negative effect on all the people close to an addict. The loved ones of addicts endure lies, manipulation, emotional and sometimes physical abuse. The daily reality for co-addicts is centered on fear, sadness, pain, and worry. This way of life can eventually take its toll on family members. Serious mental health issues may surface as a result.​Here, we review the two main mental health disorders which can surface as you’re living with someone in active addiction: Depression and Anxiety. Then, we invite your questions, comments, or stories in the space at the end. In fact, we try to respond to all comments personally and promptly.

#1 Depression​Depression feels like you have a hole in your chest where your heart used to be. Feelings of hopelessness and displeasure become overwhelming. Prolonged depression can affect your health both mentally and physically. Persistent sadness may lead to clinical depression which can affect:

eating habits

hormones

mood

pleasure

sleeping habits

your thoughts

When you are depressed, there is no easy way to snap out of it. You lose the ability to get up and decide to be happy. This is where depression becomes a problem. Major or clinical depression can negatively affect how mechanisms work in your body and your brain. But there are ways to cope with depression and addiction in the family.

Situational Vs. Major DepressionDepression can come and go due to the situation. You may experience depression due to a trauma, loss, divorce, or other factors which will eventually work themselves out over time. But how do you know when depression is short-term, or long-term? And how can you get help?​When loving an addict and living with an addict in denial, it is likely the situation has lasted a long time and will continue for an unidentified amount of time. Living with constant unknown and instability and watching someone you love decline can cause situational depression to evolve into major or clinical depression. Here are some major symptoms. Clinical depression may cause you to:

withdraw from people

withdraw from situations

quit social activities

avoid things you used to do

​Dealing with depression in daily life can be learned. However, some cases require professional help. Depression can be so severe it causes suicidal thoughts, complete hopelessness, and may need to be treated with behavioral therapies and medication. When negative circumstances do not go away, that is when unhappiness can make the transition from situational depression to long term mental health issues.

Living With And Addict Can Cause PTSDSo, what can potentially happen when you internalize the depression and anxiety over time? I can tell you about this possibility by sharing something with you from my own personal life.

Living with an addict for twelve years, I lived with uncertainty for a long period of time. When the situation finally ended I felt free and learned to live my life and be happy. It was not until years later that I had an episode of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that came out of nowhere.​It was a devastating period of my life where depression and panic disorder was so severe I could not function at all. I felt as if my life was over and could not cope with any situation, even things as simple as bathing my children. I could not speak without crying, focus, maintain a thought and my mind was racing with fear every moment of my waking and sleeping hours.

Long-Term Effects Of Life With An Addict Can Be TreatedWhat I uncovered with the help of a therapist, meditation and deep introspection was there were long-term effects due to living with an addict for twelve years. Jumping right back in to life feet first left underlying issues unresolved, residual stress, and new stress that I did not have the time or consciousness to deal with.​So, when I moved a thousand miles away from all of my loved ones it was just this very traumatic event or spark which ignited my PTSD. As happy as I was about my new life, husband, and my three beautiful children, the effects of my twelve years living with extreme anxiety and bouts of situational depression were suppressed issues that erupted due to a perfect storm.

What To Do When You Need Help?Addiction affects many. The mental health of an addict is only one source of emotional and psychological anguish that trickles down to others. But living a life with chronic depression and anxiety day after day is like not living at all. It is the antithesis of the word “life.” So what can you do if you’re overwhelmed by anxiety or depression?​1. Be proactive. It would be ideal to deal with the stress and anxiety before it gets out of hand but this is not usually the case because a co-addict can become consumed with an addict’s addiction. If you’re living with an addict, talk about your feelings with a trusted friend, advisor, or professional. Getting these feelings out in the open is step 1.2. Know that help is always there. When depression and anxiety render your life unbearable, finding help at that point may be more difficult. It is hard to reach out and change your life when you are deep into a depression. However, know that psychologists, family counselors, and licensed clinical social workers are certified to offer help. So if you see signs of these feelings, it is advantageous to ask for help ASAP.3. Commit to self-development over the long term. Learn coping skills early on would be great. But, sometimes personal changes comes on the order of decades rather than months. Commit to personal growth as a lifelong process. And you’ll get both the help and the peace that you long for as you grow.

In early addiction recovery, feelings of guilt and shame are common and expected. In fact, it can bet difficult to overcome those negative feelings…but a proactive approach can help you develop self-confidence. This article describes several things people in recovery can do to boost their low self-esteem. Then, we invite you to share your own experiences about building self-esteem in recovery or ask questions about the techniques at the end.

Increasing Your Self-Esteem In Addiction RecoveryAddicts are prone to self-loathing, and negative feelings about ourselves tend to spike in early recovery. As you come off the drugs or put down the bottle, you can look back at addiction with clearer eyes and really see the extent of the damage you caused to yourself, life, and loved ones. Feelings of guilt and shame in early recovery are to be expected, and it’s so important to learn how to manage the negative feelings and low self-esteem in recovery and get past them.

Overcoming those negative feelings is difficult, but it’s possible. Self-esteem is something that needs to be developed, and it’s best to take a proactive approach. As long as you want to feel better about yourself, in time, you will. Here are some suggestions that can help you.

4 Tips To Increasing Self-Esteem In Recovery1. Forgive yourself.In recovery, forgiving yourself for what you did during your addiction is often one of the hardest things to do. There is no one more critical of ourselves than ourselves. But you need to remember that the person you were under the influence is not the person you really are. You cannot change the past, so you need to forgive yourself for it and move onto the present with the promise that you’ll learn from your mistakes and won’t repeat them. Accept your past, and focus instead on being a better person today.

2. Be proud of yourself.Once you’ve forgiven yourself, it’s time to try and turn some of those feelings of guilt into feelings of pride. As addicts, we tend to beat ourselves up even when we should be giving ourselves credit. Instead of feeling guilty about your past addiction, feel proud of yourself for doing the hard work it takes to make a change. Quitting drugs and alcohol is incredibly difficult for an addict, so you’ve already overcome quite the hurdle, and that is nothing to shrug about.

3. Surround Yourself with positive peopleIt’s essential to have a support system in recovery, because overcoming addiction isn’t something you have to or should do alone. If you surround yourself with positive people, by proxy you’ll start developing a more positive attitude about life and yourself. Your friends and the people you associate with should make you feel good about yourself. Anyone who puts you down or is a negative influence should not have a place in your life.​4. Be kind to yourselfFinally, be kind to yourself. Treat yourself the way you would treat a beloved friend or relative. You would most likely never be as hard on a loved one or hold them to standards as high as you hold yourself to. Don’t criticize yourself, and don’t get caught up worrying about what you “should” be doing. Love yourself, compliment yourself, and focus on all your good attributes and accomplishments no matter how “small” you think they are. You’re someone who has been through a lot and deserves compassion.

Self-Esteem In Addiction RecoveryDo you have more ideas on how to improve self-esteem? Please share your thoughts or comments in the section below.

No. There is no quick fix – not to addiction, diabetes, or any other disorder. For that matter, quick fixes rarely appear in any other context, including climate shift or family budgeting.

Here, we explore what it really takes to recover from addiction in the long term. Then, we invite your questions or comments about addiction recovery in the section at the end.

The Mythical Quick Fix For AddictionIn general, most types of quick fixes are more of a “duct tape” than a solution. In fact, one of the reasons relapse is that a short-term treatment view was taken in addiction recovery. But when it comes to addiction recovery, the longer and more active approach is the best solution. People don’t become addicted to drugs or alcohol overnight. Likewise, recovery cannot be expected overnight, either.

The problematic quick-recovery perspective, was recently highlighted in the New York Times by guest columnist Peg O’Connor, Ph.D. Dr. O’Connor takes issue with the rampant trending idea of, “the addicted brain”. She does not disbelieve this idea; it is just that she view addictions as much more complex, and the treatment for a person’s addiction equally so. Brain addiction is just one part of the larger picture.

Beyond Getting CleanDetox and residential rehab provide the opportunity, structure, and environment to become drug free. It is a good start, but not the whole enchilada. Dr. O’Connor states, “One still needs to learn the skills or ways of living healthfully and happily”. That is a long term proposition and far from a quick fix. It is also something that is profoundly personal. Why and how?

During the drug, alcohol or even food addiction years, the substances themselves took on a major meaning and focus of life. They provided release, comfort, and even a kind of joy. They gave purpose to daily life, even if that purpose was only in finding the next fix. One of the hardest parts of addiction recovery is learning ways to fill that gap.

Many individuals experience addiction, or the root causes that led to an addiction, at the center of life for years and even decades. Take that away, and the idea of “a meaningful life” can be intimidating. Making healthy choices can be overwhelming and confusing. Those in recovery must also recognize that a meaningful life does not mean it is a perfect one. This adds the idea of how to be human along with that new, purpose driven life.

Finding Meaning In LifeThe continuum of addiction treatment is a more stable solution than the “quick fix” idea of addiction recovery. Beginning with detox and residential care and carrying right on through outpatient addiction care, finding meaning in life is a core part of treatment. This includes experiential therapies and also some personal soul searching through journaling or contemplation. It means finding purpose in life. Just as the idea of a Higher Power is defined by the individual, so is the notion of meaning and purpose in life.

Another problematic notion of the “quick fix to addiction idea” is that there will be a sudden, powerful “AHA” moment during recovery that defines personal purpose and meaning. For most, it takes time and a willingness to keep moving forward that helps create a deeper meaning in life. Moreover, it may even take a bit of trying and experimentation in terms of jobs, volunteering, and health pursuits before finding a comfortable combination.

As a society, one of the best things we can change is the idea of a quick fix. Believing that change takes time, effort and shared support also helps reduce the isolation of recovery.

Keeping The Peace: Tools For Staying Calm In An Alcoholic HomeRage, tears, yelling, screaming, slammed doors, shattered glasses, shattered lives: this is one experience of an alcoholic home. Others may be more subtle but just as destructive with:

hidden shame and lies

family secrets

unspoken commands to speak quietly, never criticize, or to stay out of the way after Mom or Dad or Uncle have had a few glasses

The rules that have to be managed for surviving in an alcoholic home can be overwhelming and frequently leave you emotionally crippled, stressed, and anxious. So if you are living in a home with alcoholism, or as many people are right now preparing to go visit the family home over the holidays what can you do to stay calm, to take care of yourself, and to maintain your own peace in the midst of the chaos?

3 Strategies For Dealing With Alcoholics In The Family​These three strategies can be used together or independently to bring a little more calm to your own life whatever else is going on around you!

1. Be aware of what is going on for you.Notice the point at which you get stressed, what family behaviors trigger that? Do you always feel your shoulders tighten when Dad dips into the eggnog for the second cup? Do you start to get short-tempered when Mom pops open the extra bottle of champagne? Noticing how the actions around you impact your experience allows you to start making choices about how to take care of yourself, the first step though is to be aware.

2. Accept what you have control over (and what you don’t).You can hide all the alcohol, you can throw a big fit to divert attention, you can strategically empty glasses when people aren’t looking, but none of this kind of behavior changes the fundamental issue or dealing with an alcoholic environment. You can’t make an alcoholic drink and you can’t stop them from drinking beyond using lies and trickery of your own.

So what can you do?

Manage your own behavior. Avoid getting pulled in to conflict by staying quiet, resist the urge to protect people from their own choices, practice taking care of yourself by being aware of what you need to feel comfortable.

3. Take action to take care of yourself.If you know that being with the family for more than two hours always leads to a big fight, leave after an hour and a half. If things are totally unpredictable and you never know when things are going to get out of control have a back-up plan, go for a walk, bring an art project you can quietly work on, retreat to your room. Remember that getting involved in the chaos is a choice, you can also choose actions that get you out of the chaos.

You Have Choices!Living with alcoholics or coming from an alcoholic family means that you might be too comfortable with chaos, stress, and insanity. It doesn’t mean that you have to stay comfortable with that and that there are no other choices for how to live.​Every interaction we have is ultimately up to us to affirmatively decide to have. It might make us sad to not be with family but it might also make us feel terrible to be with them. It’s up to each of us to decide what is right for our lives, to choose that path and to embrace the opportunity for peace that making that choice brings.

We are still not certain whether substance abuse causes homelessness or homelessness causes substance abuse. However, it is clear that homeless individuals are one demographic that is more likely to need addiction treatment.

What treatment options are available to the homeless? And where can a homeless person get help for addiction? We review here. Then, we invite your questions about addiction treatment for the homeless at th end.

The Homeless and Addiction TreatmentAlthough it’s difficult to accurately pinpoint the number of homeless individuals who abuse drugs or alcohol with any certainly, recent studies have estimated the nearly half of all homeless individuals are substance abusers. This demographic has a much higher rate of substance abuse than the rest of the general population.

Homeless men and women are also much more likely to suffer from mental health disorders such as depression, mood disorders, and schizophrenia.

Options for the homeless and addiction treatment vary, but treatment for this demographic should include the following services.

Educational and vocational services help homeless individuals become more independent and self-sufficient after treatment.

Health services, such as routine checkups and medical services.

Mental health services, including addiction treatment as well as treatment for other mental health problems.

Residential services and beds, giving homeless individuals a safe place to live during treatment.

Homeless Drug Addiction TreatmentDespite the extra help that homeless individuals need during addiction treatment, the basics of homeless drug addiction treatment are generally the same as other types of treatment. For instance, homeless individuals are usually assessed before they go through detox and complete an addiction treatment program. Aftercare is another very important part of homeless drug addiction treatment. The steps in providing addiction treatment for the homeless are:

Assessment is the first step in homeless drug addiction treatment. This first step allows addiction treatment specialists to determine the extent of a homeless individual’s addiction treatment. The initial assessment is also the time when an addiction treatment care plan is created, which outlines the type and duration of treatment and services needed.

Detox is a period of time in which a homeless person’s body attempts to get rid of any remaining substances. This usually results in uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Homeless individuals should typically go through detox in a dedicated detox facility under medical supervision. Not only does this reduce the risk of relapse, but it also allows doctors to supervise individuals during this time to help ensure their comfort and safety.

Treatment for drug addiction is multi-faceted and requires a great deal of time and hard work. Homeless drug addiction treatment often includes individual behavior therapy and group therapy. Some homeless drug addiction treatment programs may include the use of medications to help alleviate some of the cravings for drugs.

Social services are another important aspect of homeless drug addiction treatment. Homeless individuals in addiction treatment will often have access to educational, vocational, financial, and residential social services. These services help prepare homeless individuals to become self-sufficient and remain drug-free.

Aftercare is the last step in homeless drug addiction treatment. Aftercare services can include weekly outpatient counseling sessions, group therapy sessions, and a stay in a transitional living facility. Homeless individuals with underlying mental health problems should also continue seeing a mental health specialist and taking any prescribed medication. Eventually, with their drug abuse behind them, many homeless individuals are able to move on and live productive lives.

Homeless Addiction Treatment BarriersNot surprisingly, homeless individuals face a number of barriers to addiction treatment. Some of the more common homeless addiction treatment barriers are listed below.

Denial

Fear or distrust of authorities

Financial difficulties

Lack of insurance

Unsure of where to turn to

Addicted Homeless​Even addicted homeless individuals have places and people to turn to when they need substance abuse treatment. One of the first places that homeless individuals can turn to are local homeless shelters. Employees and volunteers in these shelters will often be able to point them in the right direction. Most homeless shelters and have pamphlets and other information available for addicted homeless individuals who are in need of addiction treatment.

Hospitals and community clinics are also good places for homeless individuals to turn to when they are looking for addiction treatment. Not only can these facilities point homeless individuals in the right direction, but they may also be able to help them figure out how to cover the cost of treatment as well.

Homeless Addiction QuestionsIf you or a loved one have any questions regarding homelessness and addiction or addiction treatment, feel free to leave a comment below. We try to address all questions and concerns in a timely manner, and we look forward to helping you and your loved one through this difficult time.

What to expect during Christian rehabChristian based drug rehabs offer addicts a Christian faith centered approach to recovery from addiction. These types of drug rehab programs are designed for addicts with a belief or interest in Christian principles. Christian based drug rehab programs combine faith-based approaches to recovery, such as Bible study and prayer, with more traditional drug rehab services, many of which are listed below.

But what can you expect during the treatment process? The main stages of rehab treatment follow.

STEP 1: Screening and assessmentWhen entering a Christian based drug rehab, the first step is undergoing an initial drug screening and assessment. This evaluation is used to determine the extent of a person’s addiction as well as the best course of treatment. Assessment usually includes a combination of interviews/questionnaires, medical testing (blood or urinalysis), and a physical exam with a medical history.

STEP 2: Medical detoxDrug withdrawal is often a very uncomfortable experience, and can sometimes even be dangerous. To help an addict safely and comfortably detox from drugs, medical detox is usually recommended before you enter the educational phase of rehab. Medical detox can be an in-house service offered by rehabs, or you may be referred to a supervised clinic off-site.

STEP 3: The internal treatment of addictionAddicts who attend Christian based rehab will typically attend several therapy and counseling sessions daily. Bible study and addiction education sessions are typically offered by Christian based drug rehab facilities. These sessions help recovering addicts gain the insight and guidance needed to head down the Christian path to recovery. Prayer sessions are also used to help guide recovering addicts and give them the hope and strength that they need to address psychological and emotional issues.

Prescription medications are sometimes used to treat certain drug addictions, particularly opiate addictions. When taken, these medications help reduce withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. Each person who attends drug rehab will be evaluated individually for the need for such medications. Keep in mind that these medications work best when you are working on correcting the psychological and behavioral issues which compel drug use.

Additional support services in drug rehabThere is a great deal of support for recovering addicts who complete Christian based drug rehab. For instance, recovering addicts have access to guidance from spiritual leaders as well as access to social services, such as help with employment, housing, and finances. Christian based suppot groups such as Celebrate Recovery meet across the U.S. Additionally, your home church family can help refer you to study groups or small groups that can help support you.

What to expect after Christian based drug rehabMany recovering addicts wonder what to expect after Christian-based drug rehab. The truth is, the long road to recovery is not over when a person completes a rehab treatment program. Making the transition back into society after any time in a drug rehab can be very difficult for some recovering addicts. An addiction aftercare program can make this process a little less stressful.

After successfully completing an inpatient rehab program, recovering addicts will typically attend several outpatient therapy sessions. If necessary, they may also spend time living in a transitional living facility, or halfway house. These houses offer them a safe drug-free environment to live in until they can get back on their feet. Christian-based drug rehab facilities will also refer recovering addicts to organizations and groups that offer much needed supportive services, such as vocational training and peer group counseling.

What to expect when visiting someone in Christian based drug rehabSupport from loved ones is strongly encouraged during drug rehab, and most Christian-based drug rehab programs do allow you to have visitors periodically. If your loved one is in treatment, there’s a good chance that you would like to know what to expect when visiting someone in Christian-based drug rehab.

Nearly all rehab programs – Christian-based or not – require that addicts spend a couple weeks settling in and adjusting to the new routine before they are allowed to have visitors. After this, you will most likely be able to visit your loved one on a designated weekend. When visiting someone in rehab, your visits will be kept short, usually only lasting no more than a few hours.

During your visit, you can chat with your loved ones and find out how their treatment is going. You may also be asked to participate in family counseling sessions or prayer group meetings during your visit. Addiction education sessions are also usually offered to visitors. These sessions are a great way for loved ones to learn more about addiction in general and learn what they can do to support and help addicts along the long road to recovery.

Can you leave Christian based drug rehab before completion?Like other types of addiction treatment, Christian-based drug rehab is entirely voluntary. This means that technically anyone can leave rehab before completion. Quitting rehab early, though, is not recommended for several reasons.

Addicts who complete rehab are much more likely to obtain the necessary tools and knowledge that they need to maintain sboriety and abstinence. In fact, addicts who leave rehab before completion drastically reduce their chances of a successful recover, regardless of how ready they may feel to leave rehab.

Recovering addicts also typically have a number of other reasons to not leave Christian-based rehab before completion, some of which are listed below.